BELGIUM: InBev resolute on restructuring

InBev has insisted it will continue with plans to streamline its operations in Belgium despite fresh strikes and protests at its headquarters on Friday.

Workers angry at InBev's plans to axe 165 jobs from its Belgian business held strikes at the company's Belle Vue and Hoegaarden breweries on Friday (16 December). The latter site, famous for producing the wheat beer of the same name, is to be closed as part of the restructuring.

However, a spokesperson for InBev Belgium told just-drinks that the brewer would press on with its plans.

"It's a period of change and it's not easy for people, especially those who have been with the company a long time. Friday was a difficult day but we announced a clear intention to take certain measures and made our proposals based on a serious study of the business. We are not doing this for fun."

She added that InBev officials had met with the striking workers and their union representatives and said talks had been "positive". A further meeting with workers at the Hoegaarden brewery was planned for Thursday with talks with employees at the Belle Vue site set for the first week in January.

InBev plans to switch production from the Hoegaarden site to its three other breweries in Belgium.

Last week, the brewer announced plans to axe 119 jobs in France and has already closed breweries in Canada and the UK.

The world's brewing giants are looking at scaling back their operations in Western Europe as beer sales remain flat.

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